U.S. Supreme Court Updates (2019-2021) [Reset 2024]

Ground zero of effective policing is understanding the “legal boundaries” of the law in the United States. The United States Supreme Court (USSC) regularly hears cases that can, and do, affect the rights of citizens and how law enforcement professionals must conduct themselves.

This course teaches law enforcement officers about the cases (from 2019, 2020, and 2021) and case law that help to frame the limits and powers of their duties. There are previous courses that cover cases all the way back to 2006, as well as a specific course on the landmark use of force case of Graham v Connor.

The cases discussed in this training include:

Kansas v. Glover – This case deals with a license plate check that is based on reasonable suspicion that the owner of the vehicle, who has a suspended license, is the actual driver of the vehicle.

Mitchell v. Wisconsin – This case is about a warrantless blood draw from an intoxicated and unconscious driver.

Torres v. Madrid – This case deals with the timing of a seizure. A suspect was shot and escaped. The court concludes that the seizure occurred at the moment of the shooting, not hours later when the suspect was finally apprehended.

Caniglia v. Strom, et al. – This is a very important case dealing with the applicability of what is commonly refered to as the “community caretaking doctrine.”

Lange v. California – This case outlines the extent of the “hot pursuit” doctrine as it relates to a fleeing suspect, who is wanted for a misdemeanor, and how that applies to the entering of the suspect’s residence.